Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY420309 Inspection date 26/07/2011 Inspector Wendy Fitton

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and three children aged 16, six and four years. The premises are situated in the Astley Bridge area of Bolton, Greater Manchester. The whole of the property is used for childminding with the exception of the bedrooms on the first floor and the bottom half of the rear garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending within the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in childcare and education and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of meeting children's individual needs. The planning, observation and assessment procedures for individual children are effective. There are very positive relationships with parents to engage them in all aspects of the organisation and to keep them up to date, involved and informed about their children's routines and progress. Required policies and procedures for the safe and efficient management of the provision are in place, and fully support children's safety and well being. The system for self- evaluation to identify priorities for future targets to further improve the quality of the provision for all children is ongoing.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop further a culture of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will further improve the quality of the provision for all children

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the early years provision

Children are well protected and safeguarded because the childminder has established effective risk assessments for the premises and any outings. She is fully aware of her role and responsibilities to protect children from any harm, and follows the local safeguarding procedures. All adults in the household are vetted This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and are suitable to be in the presence of children. Children are very safe and feel really secure in the premises and deployment of resources and procedures are effective. The childminder organises her childminding to allow children to make free choices about their activities, as she sets up resources around the play room so children can follow their own interests. She works effectively to provide a good quality of care and learning opportunities inside the home, at various community groups, on trips and through daily outdoor opportunities in the garden. She

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the early years provision

recognises some of her strengths and weaknesses and has started to self-evaluate and appraise the provision for children. However, this is in its infancy and does not clearly secure future improvement to maintain what has been accomplished so far.

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the early years provision

There is good engagement with parents and they are fully involved in all aspects of the childminding. For example, parents have access to all organisational documentation and are provided with a welcome brochure. There are lots of photographs and children's art work around the environment so parents can see what children are experiencing throughout their play. The childminder completes a daily diary that includes all children's routines and the activities and trips they have participated in. Parents have commented positively about the care they receive and are very happy and reassured. Parents state that children are always smiling and become excited when they arrive at the childminder's door. Parents feel that their children settle well and that they are provided with a range of healthy foods, good activities and a range of toys and equipment.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made links with a local group of childminders and receives support from the local authority early years support and development team. She shows good understanding of the importance of partnership working to fully support and complement children's learning and development needs. The childminder shows commitment to the equal opportunities policy to promote inclusion and respect for all. She welcomes all children and their families and is sensitive to different family lifetyles and differences.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and secure and enjoy their time in the childminder's care. She has created a calm, welcoming environment where children are supported to learn and develop. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and provides a variety of interesting experiences and learning activities. Children participate in outings to the park, the library and local activity centres. She takes lots of photographs of children during their play and observes the settling in programme, responding to children's reactions and interests. The childminder carries out observations of the children during their play, she takes a photograph and shows the links to the six areas of learning. Each child has a learning journey that shows evidence that children are developing and progressing well towards the early learning goals. The childminder evaluates what children are learning and clearly identifies their next steps. Children learn to problem solve as they find out

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and outcomes for children

how things work and how to operate toys that make sounds, noises and music. They learn to fit shapes in holes and make jigsaws and sort shapes. Children learn This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about different sizes and about capacity and processes. They learn that when filling a colander with sand that the sand pours through and look carefully for a container that is a solid container to retain the sand. Children explore and investigate natural materials as they play with the treasure baskets and discover different textures with shiny paper, wooden objects, shiny utensils, bottle tops and glitter bottles. They develop their creative and imaginative skills when making noises and sounds with cardboard tubes, painting, mark making and creating objects and improvising a mobile telephone with wooden blocks. Children really enjoy being in the outdoor environment and walk to local parks and nature areas.

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and outcomes for children

They develop their physical skills as they use large apparatus to climb, they crawl in the tunnel and use large boxes to make dens.

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and outcomes for children

Children dance and move to music and develop spacial awareness when accessing larger spaces at the toddler groups. Children develop their communication and language skills as they read stories and sing familiar rhymes and repetition songs. They respond to the positive interaction from the childminder as she talks to them all the time and reassures them of what is happening and what to do next. There are lots of photographs, pictures and posters around the environment that children can relate to, ask questions and repeat the names of familiar people and objects. Children are confident,comfortable and familiar with the routines of the day. They develop independence through self-help skills as they are encouraged to feed themselves, recognise their personal needs for a drink or snack and help with tidying away toys. Children socialise with others at toddler groups and within their community. They freely express themselves in a positive and nurturing

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and outcomes for children

environment and so feel good about themselves and feel secure. Children have a good knowledge about differences around them. They learn about different family lifestyles and cultures.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is managed in a way that supports their understanding of what is right and wrong and in accordance with their individual ages and stages of development and understanding. Children respond to positive praise and encouragement and the childminder has positive strategies to distract children from any negative behaviour with positive reinforcement. Children understand the importance of keeping safe as they help to pick up toys off the floor to avoid any trips or falls. They know to sit in their chairs when eating food and are encouraged to choose and select their toys and take some risks when using large equipment. They feel safe and comfortable and have meaningful and trusting relationships with the childminder. They move around the environment independently and explore the resources. They willingly leave their parents and are responsive to the daily routines and rhythms. Children are provided with a healthy balanced diet and

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and outcomes for children

understand the importance of being healthy and active through regular exercise ,fresh air and following good hygiene routines. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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